Our research focuses on well defined single crystal surfaces, thin films and interfaces using a variety of techniques to characterise surface structure, chemistry and electronic band structure. We study many types of materials, including molecular adsorbates on metals, oxides, 2D materials and semiconductors. Thin-film epitaxy underpins much of the work: we mainly use molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) to grow functional materials including photocathodes, topological materials and ferromagnetic thin films. We work with other groups in Physics, Chemistry and Engineering at Warwick, and collaborate with research groups and large-scale facilities in Europe, USA and Japan. Our facility work is principally based on synchrotron radiation but we also use neutron scattering, ion scattering and electron microscopy.

For research studentship opportunities (MSc and PhD), please refer to Gavin Bell's page.

Professor Phil Woodruff FRS	Dr Gavin Bell

An example paper

Direct Experimental Evidence for Substrate Adatom Incorporation into a Molecular Overlayer

Gold atoms "pop out" of the crystal surface to help stabilise the molecular overlayer. This effect was proved using surface X-ray diffraction at Diamond Light Source, a technique which is much more sensitive to the heavy gold atoms' positions.